Emergency officials in the Antelope Valley have evacuated residents after a major freight train derailment.

About half of the 62-car train derailed near Littlerock. At least 14 of the cars were carrying hazardous material. Officials are trying to determine whether either chemicals or gas leaked because of the crash.

"A little after 1:00 p.m. today a 68-car Union Pacific train was headed southbound from Roseville to West Colton through the Littlerock area east of Palmdale. 21 rail cars on that train derailed. The cause of the derailment is under investigation. No injuries have been reported. Six of the 21 derailed cars are tank cars that typically carry hazardous materials. No spills have been reported from the six tank cars. Currently, the Union Pacific hazmat response team is working in collaboration with LA County Fire to determine if there are any leaks from any of those six tank cars. Though the six tank cars are currently empty, a thorough damage assessment will be made of each tank car before they are re-railed. LA County Fire has ordered a 2000 foot evacuation along the segment of railroad track where the incident took place."

***HAZMAT Train Derailment in Littlerock, Residents asked to evacuate as a precaution***

The Los Angeles County Fire Department is advising that a freight train, approximately 70 cars in length, was traveling through the City of Littlerock when 22 cargo carrying cars derailed around 92nd Street East and "Avenue T". The only passengers aboard the train were its operators who are uninjured.

Due to the fact 14 cars being transported were identified to contain hazardous materials, the Los Angeles County Fire Department is asking residents from 87th Street East to 106th Street East between "Avenue S" and "Avenue T" to evacuate as a precaution. Residents who evacuate are asked to head toward Almondale Middle School (9330 East "Avenue U", Littlerock Ca). Currently there are 100 homes north of the derailment affected by this evacuation.

Latest briefing from LACFD a hazmat team checked the entire train and there IS NOT any cars leaking at this time.. 630 pm newscast. The cars will be righted tomorrow and the LACFD will be on scene in case of any problems due to leakage etc.
there should be reroutes via the Coast or the Saugus Line...